A Prayer for My Children - Rosh Chodesh Sivan

I was reminded by my sweet friend Gevura that, on Rosh Chodesh Sivan, it is traditional for parents to offer a heartfelt prayer for their children.

You see, it is during the month of Sivan that the Jewish people was given the Torah. We celebrate this moment next week, remembering the day so long ago that G-d gave something so incredible and life-changing to us.

Like anything else that a parent gives to their child, the Torah, an instruction manual for our lives, was wrapped up carefully and lovingly and given with much fanfare to the Jewish people. But then, of course, it was out of the Giver's hands. The Jewish people has done many great things with it, but to this day, we're still fighting over it, arguing its meaning, and even using its words to hurt one another.  (As, I suppose, siblings will do.)

I think about this every time Sivan rolls around.  What will my children choose to do with the things I give them, and with the Torah G-d has given them? Will they use them to make the world a better place, or to create divisions between its occupants?  Thinking that the latter is a possibility tears my heart out.

Likely, our ancestors had the same worries and hopes. It became the tradition, therefore, to pray for a life full of Torah learning and deeds of lovingkindess for our children on this day.  You can find a traditional version of  the prayer here.  Here is our family's version, mostly the same as it was two years ago. (When Rami was bald - really!)

Before You, my G-d and G-d of my ancestors,

I set this prayer for my children:

I pray that they add more to the world than they take,

that they work every day toward its repair,

and that they walk through it with awareness of and humility before You.

I pray that they live full, healthy, secure, joyful lives,

and that if they cannot, that they are granted the disposition

to be truly happy with their lot.

I pray that they always know where they can find home

and that one of those places is always with one another.

I pray that they find a love that speaks to the deepest parts of their souls

and makes their lives worth living.

I pray that they become adults of whom their people can be proud.

May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You, G-d, my Rock and my Redeemer.

{Chodesh Tov, and Chag Sameach}